Evaluating a GM: The Jeff Keiser Tenure

With a pair of press conferences today in the Twin Cities to announce new general managers for the Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Timberwolves, the status of one of the area's most well-known GMs has come to the forefront. Rumors continue to swirl as to the future of Jeff Keiser (Avon, Conn.), the third-year GM for slowpitch softball team Warning Track Power.

The endeared, yet embattled Keiser took over general manager duties in September of 2007 after a two-year reign by Steve Geller (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) that saw the franchise win back-to-back Cities Sports Connection championships. Geller stepped down with a 25-0 record as GM, saying, "I've accomplished all there is to accomplish in my role as general manager of Boom Goes the Dynamite. It's time for someone else to take the next step and lead this franchise to further success. It won't be difficult with the team I've assembled."

Since then, Keiser's Boom and WTP teams have compiled a 19-13 record in one additional season of CSC play and two campaigns of St. Louis Park Mixed C League action.

Team president and owner Kevin Kurtt (Edina, Minn.) has been steadfast in his support of Keiser as GM, but admits to giving consideration to making a change in the player personnel department after subpar 2007 and 2008 seasons, and an inconsistent start to the 2009 campaign.

"I'm a huge Jeff Keiser fan," Kurtt said. "It's true I've never liked him as an outfielder or as a third baseman, but as a GM, he's a great fit for this organization. Nobody works harder in putting together a team...and not a week goes by that Jeff isn't scouring the waiver wire and free agent market for new acquisitions.

"Maybe Jeff thought it was going to be an easy job when he took over for Geller. He must have looked at what was coming back from the 2006 team and thought a third title was pre-ordained for Boom. But in 2007, I think Jeff went away from what made us a championship-caliber team. I can't put my finger on it, but since we didn't have a coach, I'm forced to blame the GM. Maybe Jeff need to look at the blueprint that Geller put together during his two championship seasons and go from there."

An investigation into the tenure of Keiser as the Boom/WTP GM reveals a host of possible reasons for the franchise falling on hard times, but certainly no "smoking gun" that would undoubtedly doom or absolve Keiser. For the purposes of this research, only free agent signees and 10-day acquisitions were taken into account to grade Keiser's job as GM. Although veteran players from the days of GM Steve Geller are not above reproach, this investigation is solely looking at those players brought into the franchise by Keiser. A list of all acquisitions from 2006-09 is included below.

2007 season (6-4)
After the 2006 CSC Championship season, Boom lost only two regular players (Jeremy Beach and Kelsey Ness), but the record fell from 11-0 to 6-4. If the team's core remained the same, what happened?

* Keiser's lone free agent acquisition, Meghan Potter, failed to live up to the hype. At the time of her signing, Keiser heralded Potter as "a difference maker" and alluded to her status as North Dakota State's 11th-best all-time home run hitter. Potter showed flashes of brilliance in her rookie season, but they were too few and far between. Potter was named the spring season's Library Bar & Grill Rookie of the Year, but was given the 2007 Nick Joss/Mike Lockrem Biggest Disappointment "Award" at the conclusion of the summer season.
* On the flip side, two of Keiser's key 10-day acquistitions - Ryan Maus and Emily Wood - garnered 2007 Burrito Loco Best 10-Day Acquisition Awards. Maus also was named the summer's Rookie of the Year.
* However, the two 2006 Best 10-Day Acquisition Award winners - Emily Hennen and Tyler Thomson - were inexplicably ignored by Keiser when roster spots opened during the 2007 campaign. Other 2006 acquisitions that were never heard from again included Aaron "Dubs" DeBerg, Mike Lockrem and Nate Schultz.
* Three 2007 10-day acquisitions - Alyssa Downing, Ryan Maus and Emily Wood - parlayed their part-time success into a full roster spot in 2008.
* The remaining 10-day acquisitions were a mixed bag for Keiser and Boom, ranging from the good (Peyton N. Owens III), to the better than expected (Chris Cords), to the failed experiment (Anne Strong).

*CONCLUSION: Like his acquisitions, the 2007 season was a mixed bag for Keiser. On one had, Keiser can be commended for maintaining the core of Boom's championship-winning teams. On the other hand, Keiser's free agent signee (Potter) and 10-day acquisitions just were not consistent enough to keep Boom at the top of CSC. It seemed other league franchises closed the gap during Keiser's rookie year as GM.

2008 season (10-8)
The 2008 campaign was a watershed season for Keiser and the entire franchise. Most notably, Boom left its longtime CSC home in favor of greener pastures (literally) in the St. Louis Park Mixed C League. Boom moved to a league that featured fences, real grass and certified umpires, and entered the season with a renewed excitement for the future of the franchise.

Over the offseason, Boom lost key players in Kyle Coughlin (traded for a bucket of softballs and a bag of beef jerky to Chicago club Windy City Express), Alicia Jerome (retired) and Tory Kukowski (signed free agent contract with Norman, Okla., club Cans of Corn). Keiser responded by signing the largest crop of free agents since the inception of the franchise in 2002.

Still, Boom remained mired in mediocrity despite the sweeping changes. What happened?

* Six new players signed by Keiser joined the Boom roster in Cathy Behr, Alyssa Downing, Ryan Maus, Matt Slieter, Jim Strick and Emily Wood. Together, the sextet combined to hit .623 with 86 RBI, 24 doubles and 9 triples. The new players finished second, third, fourth, fifth, 10th and 11th on the team in batting average.
* Keiser signed four 10-day acquisitions in Doug Vose, Bobbi Ross, Michelle Train and Kristine Yorde. Vose (5-5, 5 RBI) and Ross (1-2, RBI) paid big dividends, while Traen and Yorde failed to reach base.
* Strick earned Rookie of the Year honors, while Ross was named the top 10-day acquisition.
* A year after using 12 different 10-day acquisitions, Keiser only needed to sign four in 2008, demonstrating Boom's roster continuity during the season.
* Keiser inked Michelle Train as the franchise's first ever manager.

* CONCLUSION: Despite the record, the 2008 campaign was far and away Keiser's best as GM. From making the push to change leagues to assembling a world-class lineup, Keiser excelled in 2008. So why the 10-8 record? The blame lies solely on the manager. Train was given all the tools to bring Boom back to prominence in 2008, but she failed miserably. The Boom roster in 2008 was as talented and deep as any of the championship-winning teams, but for all her hard work, Train never found the right lineup, defensive alignment or motivational technique to push Boom back to greatness. Train, for her part, blames "the dead bats."

2009 season (3-1)
Only four games into the season, the jury is very much still out on Keiser in 2009. However, due to offseason losses, Keiser has already made several moves in an effort to jump-start the franchise. In addition to player signings, the team ditched the iconic Boom Goes the Dynamite name in favor of a more apt description - Warning Track Power.

So far, WTP has been incredibly inconsistent. After opening the season with a rout, WTP lost an embarrassing one-run game to an inferior team. WTP has rebounded to go on a two-game win streak, but it hasn't been easy.

* The franchise lost veterans Andrea Smith (signed free agent contract with Stockton, Calif., club The Violators) and Emily Wood (retired) during the offseason.
* In response, Keiser signed former opponent Amanda Hoehn as a free agent. So far this season, Hoehn has only played in one game, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
* Like 2008, Keiser's 2009 10-day acquisitions have been a mixed bag. Player/manager Michelle Train (2-2, 2 RBI) and Katie Fornasiere (3-4, 2 RBI) were stellar in the season opener, but Ben Flattum (0-2, K) and Carmelina Carabajal (1-3) were underwhelming in the last game.
* It appears that Keiser made a concerted effort to address WTP's alleged chemistry problem that surfaced in 2008 by signing Hoehn (to keep Potter interested) and Flattum/Carabajal (for their social contributions during postgame meals).

* CONCLUSION: It's too early to grade Keiser's performance in 2009, but chemistry looks to be the defining issue of the season. On one hand, Keiser should be commended for worrying about team chemistry. But did he sacrifice on-field performance for off-field enjoyment? It's hard to say right now. A mitigating factor here is the fact that WTP has not played a game with all full-time roster members in attendance. When that happens (sometime in June), we'll know a lot more about Keiser's future as GM.

FRANCHISE MOVES (2006-09)
2006 players (team record 11-0) (Steve Geller, GM)
Kyle Coughlin
Katie Fornasiere
Steve Geller
Lisa Hardy
Alicia Jerome
Jeff Keiser
Tory Kukowski
Casey Kurtt
Kevin Kurtt
Kelsey Ness
Kevin Noth
Andrea Smith
Jeremy Beach 10-day acquisition
Aaron DeBerg 10-day acquisition
Emily Hennen 10-day acquisition
Mike Lockrem 10-day acquisition
Matt Schroeder 10-day acquisition
Nate Schultz 10-day acquisition
Tyler Thomson 10-day acquisition
Michelle Train 10-day acquisition

2006-07 offseason losses
Kelsey Ness

2007 Keiser signees (team record 6-4)
Meghan Potter - 1-year contract
Chris Cords - 10-day acquisition
Alyssa Downing - 10-day acquisition
Katie Fornasiere - 10-day acquisition
Ryan Maus - 10-day acquisition
Peyton N. Owens III - 10-day acquisition
Crissy Potter - 10-day acquisition
Matt Schroeder - 10-day acquisition
Anne Strong - 10-day acquisition
Michelle Train - 10-day acquisition
Emily Wood - 10-day acquisition
Kristine Yorde - 10-day acquisition

2007-08 offseason losses
Kyle Coughlin - traded for a bucket of softballs and a bag of beef jerky to Chicago club Windy City Express
Alicia Jerome - retired
Tory Kukowski - signed free agent contract with Norman, Okla., club Cans of Corn

2008 Keiser signees (team record 10-8)
Cathy Behr - 10-year contract
Alyssa Downing - 8-year contract
Ryan Maus - 8-year contract
Matt Slieter - 3-year contract
Jim Strick - 5-year contract
Emily Wood - 4-year contract
Doug Vose - 10-day acquisition
Bobbi Ross - 10-day acquisition
Kristine Yorde - 10-day acquisition
Michelle Train - player/manager

2008-09 offseason losses
Andrea Smith - signed free agent contract with Stockton, Calif., club The Violators
Emily Wood - retired

2009 Keiser signees (team record 3-1)
Amanda Hoehn - 2-year contract
Ben Flattum - 10-day acquisition
Carmelina Carabajal - 10-day acquisition
Katie Fornasiere - 10-day acquisition
Michelle Train - player/manager

Warning Track Power Goes Streaking With 15-9 Win Over Wells Fargo

Warning Track Power is on its first winning streak of the season after a too-tense 15-9 victory over Wells Fargo last night in St. Louis Park Mixed C League play. WTP (3-1) jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but for the second time in the last three weeks, failed to find the killer instinct that was present with the Boom Goes the Dynamite teams of 2005 and 2006.

Wells Fargo, a team made up of bank tellers, high school dropouts and former child actors, closed the gap to 12-9 in the fifth inning, but a small WTP rally and some stalwart defense sealed the win and the two-game win streak.

Playing in midsummerlike conditions with temperatures in the 90s and winds in the 20-30 mph range, both teams' pitchers struggled to find the strike zone. WTP hurler Jeff Keiser (Avon, Conn.) filled in admirably for staff ace Jim Strick (Combined Locks, Wis.) who was off providing his melodic voice talents to a low-level softball tournament in Wisconsin. Keiser walked three, but kept Wells Fargo's rallies to a minimum by deftly mixing up his pitches.

At the plate, Keiser had a forgettable performance, but was picked up by three WTPers with batting averages of .750 or better. Aging veteran Kevin Noth (Norwalk, Wis.) had his best game since 2007, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run. Savvy slugger Matt Slieter (Owatonna, Minn.) continued his torrid start to the 2009 campaign with a 3-for-4 outing. Slieter is now hitting a team-best .909 on the season. Tall infielder Cathy Behr (Willmar, Minn.) had another stellar performance at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored.

Warning Track Power now heads into the bye week with a 3-1 record in the St. Louis Park Mixed C League standings.

Box score above. For Warning Track Power season stats, go to slowpitchstats.com.

Game Notes
* Warning Track Power veteran Kevin Noth filled in as umpire for 1.1 innings until USSSA umpire Alexander P. Tardeman arrived.
* Warning Track Power went 19-for-36 (.528) on the night.
* Kevin Noth has hits in four straight at bats, his best streak since the 2006 campaign.
* Top hit streaks of the season: Matt Slieter: 7, Kevin Kurtt 5, Kevin Noth 4
* Cathy Behr has had four straight multi-hit games to start the season. Slieter has three consecutive multi-hit contests.
* For the second straght week, a WTPer struck out swinging. This week, Casey Kurtt got the K after last week's whiff by Amanda Hoehn.
* WTP is 3-0 when Kevin Kurtt wears his "Kyle's Birthday November 17" t-shirt.
* WTP is 3-0 at Dakota Park East and 0-1 at Dakota Park West.
* WTP was without the services of its top two pitchers in Jim Strick and Steve "Moonlight" Geller.
* WTP failed to hit a triple for the first time this season.
* Alyssa Downing arrived at the field a career-record 28 minutes early. Meghan Potter was also early for an unprecedented second week in a row.
* Ten-day acquisitions/lovebirds Ben Flattum and Carmelina Carabajal struggled at the plate, going a combined 1-for-5, but made significant social contributions during a postgame meal at Major's Sports Café.
* Flattum and Casey Kurtt were the lone WTPers without a hit.
* WTP drew a season-high six walks.
* WTP only had three extra base hits - doubles by Cathy Behr, Lisa Hardy (!) and Meghan Potter.
* Matt Slieter failed to reach base in the first inning for the first time this season.
* Cathy Behr was named the misterheavyfoot.blogspot.com Player of the Game. Second star: Kevin Noth. Third star: Matt Slieter.
* Umpire Alexander P. Tardeman was named the Nick Joos/CoSIDA Goat of the Game.
* Kevin Noth subbing for late umpire Alexander P. Tardeman for 1.1 innings was nominated for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year and the Kodak Moment of the Year.
* Lisa Hardy digging out a poorly thrown ball to first from third baseman Ryan Maus for a crucial out has been nominated for Kodak Moment of the Year.
* Umpire Alexander P. Tardeman made an inexplicable "out" call on a play at second base involving Matt Slieter. After a WTP flyout, Slieter tagged up and bluffed a run to third before retutning to second. Wells Fargo threw to second before Slieter reached the bag with Lately calling him out, despite the fact that a tag needed to be made. The moment will now be recognized as a contender for the Steak Knife Blooper of the Year.
* Also recognized for Blooper of the Year will be Casey Kurtt's drop of a perfectly thrown ball by shortstop Kevin Kurtt that would have provided a highlight-reel inning-ending double play.
* Fans in attendance: Leah Foreman-Keiser (one inning), Pam Hardy, Hardy Family Member A, Hardy Family Member B, Kieran Kurtt, Laura Kurtt.
* 2009 Three Star Standings:
Cathy Behr 6
Jim Strick 6
Matt Slieter 5
Kevin Noth 3
Michelle Train 3
Kevin Kurtt 1

Warning Track Power Back in the Win Column with 12-2 Thumping of Myslajek Ltd.

Warning Track Power got back in the win column Tuesday with a convincing 12-2 victory over Myslajek Ltd., in a game played in horrendous conditions of heavy rains and driving winds. WTP (2-1) cruised to the win on the strength of a pitching gem by veteran hurler Jim Strick (Combined Locks, Wis.) and perfect nights at the plate by Strick, Matt Slieter, Kevin Kurtt and Steve Geller (10-for-10, 7 runs, 5 RBI).

With the win, WTP maintained its undefeated all-time record (3-0) against Myslajek, a team comprised of certified public accountants, recovering alcoholics and at least one prostitute. Warning Track Power now stands in a three-way tie for second place behind defending champion Green Giants (2-0) in the St. Louis Park Mixed C League standings.

Box score above. For Warning Track Power season stats, go to slowpitchstats.com.

Game Notes
* The game was played in awful weather conditions with periods of heavy rain and sustained winds upwards of 30 mph.
* Warning Track Power played through the franchise's first ever rain delay.
* Warning Track Power went 21-for-34 (.618) on the night.
* Four WTPers had perfect nights from the plate - Matt Slieter (3-3), Kevin Kurtt (3-3), Jim Strick (2-2) and Steve Geller (2-2).
* Amanda Hoehn, an offseason free agent signee, made her WTP debut, going 0-for-3 with one strikeout (swinging).
* Hoehn's strikeout was the first swinging K in recorded franchise history.
* Aging veteran Steve "Moonlight" Geller made his 2009 WTP debut, going 2-for-2 with
* WTP recorded its third consecutive game with multiple triples.
* Pitcher Jim Strick did not have an earned run, despite the game being played in horrendous conditions.
* Jeff Keiser had a career-high two infield hits, including one ball that went approximately 17 inches in distance from home plate.
* Meghan Potter arrived at the field a career-record 23 minutes early.
* Alyssa Downing arrived at the field after the scheduled start for the fifth time in the last six games.
* Kevin Noth wore his always-popular wife-beater, but went with a long-sleeve t-shirt when the weather made a turn for the worse.
* Potter and Keiser both ordered mushroom pizzas at the postgame meal at Majors.
* Keiser and shortstop Kevin Kurtt each made a pair of throwing errors. Kurtt made up for it at the plate...Keiser did not.
* Kurtt had a team-leading 3 RBI despite hitting from the leadoff spot.
* Lisa Hardy hit the first sacrifice fly of the season.
* Jim Strick drew his second career walk.
* Amanda Hoehn was the lone WTPer without a hit.
* Kevin Kurtt and Jeff Keiser were not first two roster members present at Dakota Park for the first time this season. Keiser and Matt Slieter arrived before Kurtt.
* Jim Strick was named the misterheavyfoot.blogspot.com Player of the Game. Second star: Matt Slieter. Third star: Kevin Kurtt.
* The weather was named the Nick Joos/CoSIDA Goat of the Game.
* WTP gritting out four runs in the first inning under terrible weather conditions was nominated for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year.
* Steve "Moonlight" Geller's rare opposite field hit in the fourth inning has been nominated for the Kodak Moment of the Year.
* Umpire Ron Dinkenger made an inexplicable "safe" call on a play at first base even though Lisa Hardy had control of a poorly-thrown Jeff Keiser ball a full step ahead of the runner. The moment will now be recognized as a contender for the Steak Knife Blooper of the Year.
* Also recognized for Moment/Blooper of the Year will be Steve "Moonlight" Geller's slipping, sliding catch of a short fly ball, followed by a poor throw to third to complete a double play. The play would not have been recognized had Geller been wearing cleats.
* Fans in attendance: None, although Steve "Moonlight" Geller's agent Enrico Gellabrini was spotted in the stands. Rumor has it that Gellabrini is assisting Geller while he re-negotiates his endorsement contract with Myoplex.
* 2009 Three Star Standings:
Jim Strick 6
Matt Slieter 4
Cathy Behr 3
Michelle Train 3
Kevin Kurtt 1
Kevin Noth 1

Embarrassing. Warning Track Power Loses 9-8

8-0 lead after two innings, followed by allowing nine unanswered runs. Texa Tonka 9, Warning Track Power 8. There's your recap.

Box score above. For Warning Track Power stats, go to slowpitchstats.com.

Game Notes
* Game started out well with shortstop Kevin Kurtt opening his second straight game with a triple.
* Warning Track Power's downturn seemed to begin with utility player Alyssa Downing's strikeout...looking.
* Texa Tonka did not reach base until the third inning.
* Warning Track Power went 15-for-32 (.469) on the night.
* No WTPer had a batting average over .667 for the game.
* WTP set a team and league record with six triples, but had just one double and eight singles.
* WTP missed the savvy of veteran outfielder Matt Slieter.
* Aging slugger Steve "Moonlight" Geller was also absent.
* Only two players had multi-RBI games - Jeff Keiser (3) and Ryan Maus (2).
* Alyssa Downing, Meghan Potter and Casey Kurtt combined for a highlight-reel 9-4-2 double play with Kurtt blocking the plate to tag out a Texa Tonka runner at home. The moment will now be recognized as a contender for the Kodak Moment of the Year.
* Kevin Kurtt and Jeff Keiser were the first two roster members present at Dakota Park for the 15th time in the last 17 contests.
* Cathy Behr was named the misterheavyfoot.blogspot.com Player of the Game. Second star: Jim Strick. Third star: Kevin Noth.
* Umpire Susan H. Keller was named the Nick Joos/CoSIDA Goat of the Game.
* Alyssa Downing's strikeout was nominated for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year.
* Fans in attendance: Beth Kurtt, Jim Kurtt, Kieran Kurtt, Laura Kurtt, Cameron Noth, Lori Noth.

Roses Have Thorns, Eh?

With Guy LaFleur and his kid in jackass kid in some trouble with the law in Canada, we thought it was time to revisit one of the greatest hockey/beer commercials of all time.